5 Snake-Themed Things to Do to Ring in the Year of the Snake

Chinese New Year is almost here, and 2025 is the Year of the Snake! Whether you’re a snake enthusiast or just in it for the quirky thrills, this Chinese New Year promises to be one slithery, scaly, and seriously fun ride! Get ready to wriggle your way through some of the world’s coolest snake-themed activities. From snake-y cafes to reptile kingdoms, let’s dive into these five fang-tastic adventures you must try to celebrate the Year of the Snake!

Also read: Discover the Best Asian Travel Destinations for Each Chinese Zodiac Sign

1. Get Cozy with a Snake at Tokyo’s Snake Café

Let’s kick off this list with a bite-sized experience in the heart of Harajuku, Tokyo. Welcome to the Tokyo Snake Center – A café where snakes don’t just slither behind glass, they’re your tablemates! Yep, you read that right. At this scaly sanctuary, you can sip a refreshing iced coffee while hanging out with a milk snake. This ain’t your typical café experience – It’s like the fashion-forward cousin of your regular animal cafés. You’ll walk in, greeted by snakes in Perspex cases (almost like an exotic vending machine). And then – plot twist – you get to pick your snake buddy from a box!

The real fun begins when the waiter takes you to your table and gives you a quick lesson in “snake etiquette.” This is crucial – Snakes have needs, too! After all, a snake’s gotta vibe, and we’re here to respect that. The café’s chic vibe – think minimalist white walls, glossy metal surfaces, and snake-skin-patterned everything – makes it feel more like a high-end fashion boutique than a reptile hangout.

Want more? For an extra fee, you can pet one of the bigger snakes curled up in their luxurious enclosures. Whether you’re holding a chill Florida pine snake or a hyperactive licorice rat snake, it’s an Instagram-worthy moment that’s sure to make your Year of the Snake truly unforgettable.

2. Explore the Snakes at RepTopia, Singapore Zoo

Singapore Zoo’s RepTopia is a wild reptilian wonderland that takes you on an international snake-tastic journey! This isn’t your average zoo – this is a world where snakes from the Indo-Pacific, African Jungle, and even the Neotropical Rainforests all hang out in style. Picture this: 60 species of reptiles and amphibians strutting their stuff across four funky geographical zones. It’s like the United Nations, but for snakes!

What makes this stop extra special? The interactive experiences! You can get up close and personal with snakes during live keeper sessions, and even get a chance to watch a cobra feast (don’t try this at home, folks). Plus, if you’re feeling brave, there’s an opportunity to learn all about venomous versus non-venomous snakes – and maybe even take a crack at being a customs officer intercepting illegal wildlife shipments. It’s like playing detective but with way more slithery creatures involved.

Oh, and there’s a behind-the-scenes reptile hatchery where you can peek at baby snakes being born. It’s like a VIP tour, but for all the snake lovers who want a little extra behind-the-scenes magic. Plus, there’s a thermal imaging station where you can see how a rattlesnake really sees you – Spoiler: It’s pretty eerie.

3. Snake Spotting in the Wild: Singapore Edition

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous and slightly more daring (don’t worry, you’ll survive), why not go snake spotting in Singapore’s nature reserves? Picture yourself trekking through lush greenery, and suddenly, bam – there it is. A reticulated python casually sunbathing, or maybe you spot an exotic Paradise Tree Snake hanging out in a tree.

Singapore’s snake population is as diverse as it is exciting, with over 60 species slinking around. From the sneaky Oriental Whip Snake to the mighty Reticulated Python (which can grow up to 10 metres long – that’s longer than an average bus!), this is the ultimate challenge for snake-spotters. The best places to see them? Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and the forested green spaces around the island. You’ll need some serious reptilian detective skills, but when you do spot one, it’ll be all worth it.

However, always remember – If you run into some trouble with these creatures, call the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Hotline. It’s like a reptilian 911, just in case things get too wild. (Oh, and PLEASE don’t go near them. Admire them from afar.)

4. Sip on Some Snake Wine

Now, I’m not saying you have to drink snake wine to ring in the Year of the Snake, but wouldn’t it be wild if you did? This quirky concoction, popular in Vietnam and Southern China, involves – you guessed it – A snake in your bottle. But don’t worry, it’s totally safe to sip on (as long as you’re buying from a legit source, obviously).

Snake wine is made by soaking a whole snake (often a venomous one) in rice wine or another spirit. Over time, the ethanol neutralizes the venom, so you don’t need to worry about taking a poisonous sip. What’s the taste like, you ask? It’s earthy, slightly sweet, and a little bit funky – like someone blended wine with a bit of chicken-flavoured umami. Intrigued? You’ll find it in markets or traditional snake restaurants in Southeast Asia, where it’s consumed for its purported medicinal benefits. Think of it as a shot of legendary health benefits – Great for curing everything from joint pain to, ahem, boosting your ‘energy’ in the new year.

5. Get Wild in Le Mat Snake Village, Vietnam

Last but certainly not least, if you’re looking for a seriously unique experience, make your way to the Le Mat Village in Vietnam. Nestled 7km north of Hanoi, this village is legendary for its centuries-old tradition of snake catching. But don’t be intimidated – This isn’t your average “snake pit” (unless you want it to be). This place is all about embracing the strange and the quirky, as the villagers teach you how to handle snakes like a pro.

But the real adventure? It’s snake cuisine. Le Mat is famous for its snake dishes (yep, you heard me). You’ll get the chance to dine on different snake-based dishes, from the deliciously daring to the, well, terrifying. Just imagine snacking on a platter of snake satay, or sipping on a shot of fresh snake blood – It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the most fearless of foodies.

The village itself is a blend of history, culture, and snakes – with a side of local legends thrown in for good measure. In the 1960s, the village supplied snakes to local restaurants and pharmaceutical companies, but today, it’s all about preserving the snake-raising tradition, while attracting tourists who are willing to get up close and personal with the most misunderstood creature on Earth.

Also read: River Hongbao 2025: Celebrate Chinese New Year at Gardens by the Bay

So, whether you’re sipping on snake wine, getting cozy with a snake buddy in a café, or spotting some wild serpents in their natural habitat, these five snake-filled experiences will have you ringing in the Year of the Snake like never before. Slither your way to these adventures, and you’ll soon be snake-ling with excitement all year long. Happy Chinese New Year!